Yoga Shoes

Yoga shoes look like sneakers, but they have thin soles that allow for flexibility, and the tops of the shoes are lightweight to allow air to circulate more freely. The shoes are available in different colors and styles. Major manufacturers such as Reebok, Adidas, and Puma all make specialty shoes for yoga practice.

Why Wear Yoga Shoes

While not strictly necessary, yoga shoes are an option that some people who practice yoga like to wear. There are several reasons you may want to wear them.

• Comfort. You may just feel uncomfortable without shoes and socks on.
• Fear of germs or bacteria. If you share or rent a yoga mat and worry about swapping bacteria, you may want to wear yoga shoes.
• Safety. If you enjoy practicing yoga outside or anywhere else where going barefoot isn’t a wise option, shoes may keep you from stepping on sharp stones or getting ant bites.
• Traction. If you’re one of those lucky people who has smooth feet, you may want a pair of shoes to help with traction and keep you from slipping during certain poses.

Why Not to Wear Yoga Shoes

While some people couldn’t imagine popping off their shoes and socks for any form of exercise, there are some valid reasons to let your feet breathe when you’re doing yoga.

• Comfort. Some people prefer to practice yoga barefoot; it just “feels” better for them.
• Connection. Shoes can keep people from being “centered” and connected to the Earth.
• Difficulties getting into poses. Wearing shoes may make it harder to get in or stay in some poses.
• Reflexology. Following the belief that the feet relate to other parts of the body, it is considered far more beneficial to allow your feet to have a workout of their own while you’re doing yoga.

Other Options

If you don’t like the thought of wearing shoes, but you’re also not comfortable going barefoot, you have two other options.

Foot Thongs

Foot thongs are mini-shoes. They only cover the ball of the foot, with sandal-like straps on top to keep them in place. They offer better traction without having to keep your entire foot covered.

Yoga Socks

Yoga socks are gloves for your feet. Like gloves have fingers, yoga socks have toes. They’re often called toe socks, with non-slip rubber dots to help with traction. Many people prefer these to yoga shoes because they are less confining while still offering more stability than bare feet.

Shopping for Yoga Footwear

Most major sporting good stores and athletic shoe stores will have yoga shoes for sale. Yoga socks may be harder to come by, however, as they are a relatively new trend. To get an idea of styles and prices, you can check online.

• Zappo’s carries yoga thongs as well as several different brands of yoga shoes, ranging in price from $40 to $100.
• NexTag offers a portal where you can find the yoga shoes or socks that you want at various Internet stores.
• The Pilates Guy carries yoga socks with arch support, a non-slip sole, and seamless design.

Some yoga studios will suggest that you don’t wear yoga shoes, while others may require them for safety reasons, so make sure to check with the studio you choose.

Additional Information

Before you purchase shoes for any type of athletic activity, visit LoveToKnow Shoes for shopping tips, fashion advice, and product recommendations.

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